I sigh heavily.
What do I do? The mock races are done, I showed my notes, handed Hayahide the training menus, and suddenly six Uma Musume reverse-scouted me. Not just any six—the student council president, her right-hand, the so-called "Monster," a top-tier BNW member, a maternal powerhouse, and a stomach-growling foodie. Every one of them is brimming with potential.
Another sigh. "What a mess…"
"What's got you so troubled?" a voice asks. "Something wrong?"
"Oh, Southgate-san," I say. "Just… a lot happened today."
"The mock races, right?" Southgate says.
"Yeah, pretty much," I reply.
Southgate's been a trainer at Tressen Academy for a few years, leading a team with solid results. He's one of the few male trainers here close to my age.
"Didn't go well?" he asks.
"No, it's not that," I say. "It's just… saying it might rub people the wrong way."
"Huh?" he says.
"I got reverse-scouted," I say. "By six Uma Musume."
"Six?!" he exclaims. "That's incredible! So many Uma Musume picking you?"
"Thanks," I say. "But could you keep it down?"
"Oh, sorry," he says. "But why would that cause bad blood? Sure, it's unheard of for a rookie, but there's no reason for anyone to resent you."
"It's the lineup," I say. "It's intense."
"The six?" he asks.
I can't say it out loud, so I scribble their names on my ever-ready notepad and pen.
"Here's who they are," I say.
Southgate stares. "…Hikigaya-kun, is this for real?"
"If it wasn't, I wouldn't be like this," I say. "First-year trainers can only take one Uma Musume, right? But this lineup? The pressure's insane."
"Yeah, choosing from that group takes guts," he says.
"If it was just one reverse-scout, it'd be easier," I say. "But six?"
"I can only offer basic encouragement, but good luck choosing," he says.
"That's so generic it's not even comforting," I say.
Back in my room, I slump. "What do I do?"
That group is way too talented for a rookie like me. Being reverse-scouted by them is an honor, but I'm a newbie who started at Tressen Academy two days ago. Southgate didn't care, but a prideful trainer? They'd be seething with jealousy.
Another sigh. "What's the move? There are still Uma Musume I haven't seen, and I promised to watch Rice's run. No rule says I have to pick from those six yet."
But still… what do I do? I can't even think about menus right now. Time for a break.
At a Tressen Academy bench, I spot someone. "Huh? Who's that?"
An Uma Musume with jet-black hair and glowing yellow eyes sits, sipping coffee. Like an owl or something.
She's drinking coffee now? Doesn't that keep some people—or Uma Musume—up at night?
She glances at me. "…!"
"Hey," I say.
"…Hello," she replies.
"Mind if I sit?" she asks, gesturing.
"Oh, sure," I say.
I sit next to her as prompted. No real reason to be here, but refusing felt weird. She's not much of a talker, though. Not that I'm waiting for her to start.
"…Got something on your mind?" she asks.
"Huh?" I say.
"You look down," she says. "Just a hunch."
"Yeah, well," I say. "I started here this year, watched the mock races, and made reports on their running styles and traits. Some Uma Musume asked to see them, and then they reverse-scouted me. So, I'm kinda stuck."
"…I see," she says.
"They're some of the most promising talents here," I say. "No idea how to choose."
How do I choose? There's no rule locking me to those six, but after that kind of scouting, picking anyone else feels tough.
"…It's like coffee," she says.
"…What?" I say.
"There are many kinds of coffee," she says. "The water's temperature changes the flavor, the amount too. If you ask me which I like best, I can't say. The best depends on how it's brewed."
"Oh… uh, okay," I say.
Is she saying everyone's got their own strengths?
"Do you drink coffee?" she asks.
"If it's sweet," I say.
"Then, here," she says, handing me a slightly sweetened canned coffee.
Nice of her, but…
"I come here every week on this day to drink coffee," she says. "Come by if you want. I'm Manhattan Cafe."
"Didn't introduce myself, did I?" I say. "Hachiman Hikigaya."
"So you're the trainer the academy's buzzing about," Cafe says.
"Don't know what they're saying, but yeah, I'm getting talked about," I say.
"It's curfew soon, so I'll head out," she says.
Manhattan Cafe stands and walks toward the Uma Musume dorms. What a peculiar girl. Never met her type before.
"Oh, one more thing," she calls back.
"Hm?" I say.
"If you can, keep that girl company," she says. "She seems interested in you."
…Who's she talking about?